The Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) has responded to the Westminster Hall debate on Waste Tyres and Recycling with cautious optimism, following robust statements from the DEFRA Minister, Mary Creagh MP. The Minister opened her statement adlibbing that, like Elvis Presley, she recognised it was ‘time for a little less conversation, and a little more action’.
The debate, prompted by the concerning revelations of the BBC’s File on 4 documentary, The Tyre Scandal, saw the Minister acknowledge the programme’s “deeply upsetting” findings and pledge a crackdown on “waste cowboys” to “clean up Britain”. Telling the chamber that it was time to “close the waste loopholes” the Environment Minister said, “We have got to stop outsourcing our waste problems to other countries.”
Specifically addressing the lack of action on the T8 exemption, since the commitment to end it was first announced by Government, Mary Creagh MP, Minister for Waste and Materials, said:
“Inertia is not my middle name. I have been very, very demanding of officials on this. I recognise the importance of removing the T8 exemption to the industry, the wider benefits of doing so and am happy to tell the House that DEFRA’s intention here (along with priorities in waste and recycling space) will be announced very, very soon.”
Following yesterday’s debate the TRA also welcome the Minister’s emphasis on the “principle of fairness and the enforcement of the law,” alongside the clear expression of interest in the “Australian model” of waste tyre management. Recognising its impact in stopping environmental damage while supporting domestic processing of ELTs. During her speech the Minister also requested to see the TRA contribute directly to the Circular Economy Taskforce and the Transport Roadmap.
Peter Taylor OBE, Secretary General of the TRA, stated:
“The debate provided a crucial opportunity to hear directly from the Minister and we are encouraged by the strong commitment to action Mary Creagh set out. We have long argued that the current situation is both environmentally damaging and economically short-sighted. Today, for the first time, we saw a Minister actively engage on the issues we have been campaigning on for years. This is a firm step in the right direction.
The Minister’s interest in the Australian experience is particularly encouraging, as it demonstrates a willingness to learn from international best practice in effectively managing end-of-life tyres. We believe that ending the export of whole end-of-life tyres, as Australia has successfully implemented, is a vital step towards environmental responsibility and the development of domestic reprocessing capacity.
We will know the Minister is truly committed when we see the first action resulting from her engagement on these issues – the clearly signposted end to the T8 exemption. When it comes to reform of the UK waste tyre regulatory regime and ensuring we have future domestic capability ‘It is Now or Never’, to coin another Elvis’s songs.”
Source: Tyretradenews
